Construction Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention How loud is too loud? INSTRUCTOR NOTES: The Stand-Alone Exercises (individual PowerPoint slides) and the Cumulative Presentation (includes slides for all 4 lessons), can be used on their own or inserted into other training programs. NOISE TRAINING EXERCISES FOR USE IN IN-CLASS FOR SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS : Stand-Alone Exercise B-2(C) RECOMMENDED– Download and familiarize yourself with one of the apps in advance of the class, and demonstrate it during the class. Noise is all around you when you’re on a construction site. Loud noise can lead to hearing loss, but how loud is too loud? According to NIOSH, noise over its recommended exposure level, or REL, of 85 decibels is hazardous. OSHA’s permissible exposure level or PEL is higher at 90 decibels. Fortunately, it’s getting easier to identify your level of exposure so you know when to use hearing protection. The NIOSH Sound Level Meter mobile application for use on an iPhone allows you to measure sound levels in the workplace and includes recommendations to reduce hearing loss (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html.) For those with an Android device, NIOSH recommends the Sound Meter app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.sira.sound&hl=en If there is time to do a demonstration - use the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app or the Android SoundMeter App on your phone to take a reading of the noise level in the room. TELL THE CLASS: Let’s test out the [insert name of app being used]. I want everyone to start talking and making noise As the class is making noise, take a reading and then briefly describe the results, focusing on the decibel level. The reading was [insert the reading minus 85] above/below the NIOSH REL and [insert the reading minus 90] above/below the OSHA PEL. NIOSH Sound Level Meter app for iPhones -- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/niosh-slm/id1096545820?mt=8 SoundMeter app for Android -- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.sira.sound&hl=en Exercise B-2 (C)